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16-Nov-2012 -- This confluence point was reached early on a 3-day tour of western Bangladesh during which we also reached the points at 23N 90E and 24N 89E. We were greatly aided by our companion guide and translator Shuchak and our intrepid driver Kabir. This confluence point was only about 12 km east of Bangladesh's western border with India and was roughly 6 km south of the main road between Calcutta and Dhaka.

We set out from the regional capital of Khulna and reached this point in roughly 90 minutes driving. It was a beautiful November day with clear skies and temperatures near 27°C. While the population density is high everywhere in Bangladesh, this relatively remote part was certainly less frenetic and the air was clean. The land here was relatively dry and reaching this confluence was exceptionally easy, requiring only light bushwhacking behind the houses along the road. After heading south from the main road for a bit and then east on a tertiary road we passed within about 75 meters of the point by car. As with every road, this road was lined with houses and elevated relative to the fields. As we walked toward the point we were quickly joined by a group of local children who were quite curious about our activities. I asked about the sticks that I had seen everywhere including at the houses right by the confluence. This prompted much laughter as I had asked about their process for drying cow manure to enable it to be burned. I gave my letter of explanation to the oldest child (translated into Bengali by a colleague) and we left to try for the next confluence to the North. Bangladesh is a wonderful country full of beautiful scenery and extraordinarily friendly people. I appreciate the confluence project as it motivated us to reach beyond the well-traveled roads.